Values
[Note, Andrew cannot announce policies as a legislative restriction of campaigning for local government]
Council has a role to play in service delivery to the community and it must do so with a view to obtaining best value for ratepayers’ money.
Council has a duty to petition State and Federal Government for services they supply for our growing community needs.
Local small businesses need a positive commercial environment in which to grow and which Council should seek to deliver. This brings more local jobs and opportunities for new business to establish.
Council must also seek out large businesses to call Wyndham home for jobs and the flow-on benefits of having such enterprises in our community such as suppliers and service providers needed to maintain their working environment.
Planning continues to be an issue as Council pushes to protect local concerns only to be overruled by VCAT too many times. This has resulted in developers factoring in a VCAT hearing into their costs rather than accepting Councils rulings. Working with the State Government can ensure the needs of the community are recognised.
Planning must also be clear about the development and redevelopment of our community. This way neighbourhoods know what development can occur and where it can be placed. It also opens the door to developers for needed public and private infrastructure rather than ad hoc and inappropriate construction proceeding.
Council must ensure its commercial enterprises are delivering returns for the community and ratepayers. This can be financial or service delivery outcomes to our community.
Waste management, resource reclamation and recycling are important for the ongoing prosperity of Wyndham and needs to seek the best possible returns for residents.
By rolling out more environmentally friendly policies and initiatives such as the use of LED lighting at sports grounds, solar panels on council buildings, paperless office measures and water capture and reuse, we not only assist the planet but also save ratepayer dollars over the long term.
We deserve to have clean rivers and waterways where we can enjoy nature and see the wildlife our region attracts.
Local laws need to be enforced to ensure the good conduct and wellbeing of our community. When a breach occurs and if there is no or little penalty for an infringement then the wrongdoer has little to no incentive to change their habits or make right the situation.
Strict controls over the use, storage and disposal of preformed Styrofoam at building sites are needed. This is to protect public safety should the material be carried by the wind and to reduce its impact on the environment as it breaks up into smaller unmanageable pieces.
Council interactions with community groups and sporting clubs needs to be positive with a view of a partnership rather than a landlord/tenant relationship which tends to be prevalent at the moment.
Council should also engage community groups more readily in projects where they can assist, eg tree planting by volunteers. This builds greater community ownership of parks, recreation areas and public land.
Public art in this city should be commissioned by council to local artists. It should also expand to not just physical art installations but to performing and digital arts also. Only where specific expertise can not be met should art be produced for Wyndham Council by non-Wyndham based artists.
Action is needed on the Werribee East Employment Precinct before the State Government sell the land for yet more housing. The mixed use of the land needs to be weighted toward local job creation over creating yet another housing estate.
Council needs to resist any cost shifting efforts by either the State or Federal Government. It is unfair to constantly heap more work upon councils in areas the more senior levels of government should be responsible in delivering.
Public safety needs to be a priority with public areas well-lit and where appropriate CCTV cameras installed.